Boat structures



Oct. 3, 1961 R. J. LUGER, JR., ET AL 3,002,202

BOAT STRUCTURES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 31, 1958 INVENTORS RENNOLD J." Lao-ERR BY ORMO/VD L.LU6ER ATTORNEYS 1961 R. J. LUGER, JR., ETAL 3,002,202

BOAT STRUCTURES Filed March 31, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORSI a! REM/vow Lucas/ah.

3 BY ORMOND LLUGER ATTORNEYJ Oct. 3, 19 1 R. J. LUGER, JR., ETAL 3,

BOAT STRUCTURES Filed March 51, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 W W m? INVENTORS REM/vow .7. LUGER Jk. [=7 -9 BY 0RMo/v0L.Lu6ER 3,002,202 BOAT STRUCTURES Rennold J. Luger, In, 1711 W. 84th St, and Ormond 1{Klingon 9612 Oakland Ave. S., both of Minneapolis,

inn.

Filed Mar. 31, 1958, Ser. No. 725,093 3 Claims. (Cl. 96)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in boats.

It is well known that there has been a tremendous growth in the development of small privately owned water craft during the past few years, particularly of the outboard motor type. To keep down the cost many individuals have attempted to design and construct their own craft. Some of these have been successful in their attempts, while others have met with failure.

To accommodate the do-it-yourself class of individuals, of which there are now a great many, manufacturers are now providing for the trade complete boat kits, each 1 comprising all or most of the parts required to construct a complete boat. Each such kit may comprise a plurality of part assemblies, such as the transom and cross frame assemblies, if such assemblies are to be utilized in the selected boat. In addition, each kit comprises all other necessary material such as the side and bottom paneling, the keelscn, stern, decking, chines, keel, rub rails, and usually the necessary hardware. All these parts may be contained in a single parcel or bundle with complete instructions showing the do-it-yourself mechanic how to assemble and complete the boat in its final form, and which may include suggestions for finishing the interior and exterior surfaces thereof.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a boat structure which readily lends itself for manufacture and distribution in kit form, and in which all of the parts are so constructed that an unskilled person may, without difiiculty, by carefully following the instructions furnished with each kit, completely assemble and finish the boat for launching.

ates Patet A further object of the invention is to provide a boat 7 structure comprising a plurality of part frame assemblies,

them to provide the supporting frame or structure of the boat, and the side and bottom panels for the hull of the boat being pre-cut to size, or nearly so, whereby an unskilled mechanic may readily secure such panels to the supporting frame of the boat with the assurance that when they have been permanently secured to the frame, the resultant boat will be properly constructed and balanced for maximum etficiency in operation and maneuverability.

A further object of the invention resides in the construction of the side panels of the boat hull, each of which may have a chine member secured to the bottom marginal edge thereof, said chines being pre-cut and formed to facilitate assembly and to reduce manual labor when securing the panels to the supporting frame.

A further and more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of a boat structure wherein the parts constituting the supporting frame of the hull may be quickly assembled to receive the side panels, which panels are pre-cut to size, or nearly to size, and shaped to provide the desired contour of the side walls of the hull, when subsequently fixedly secured to the supporting frame, after which the precut bottom-forming panels of the hull are secured to the supporting frame and to the bottom edges of the side panels and chines, thereby to complete the roughing in of the hull.

Other objects of the invention reside in the construction of the transom wherein notches may be provided in the outer bottom corners thereof adapted to receive 2 the rear ends or terminals of the chines when initially placing the side panels in position on the supporting frame, such notches assuring accurate positioning of the side panels on the supporting frame, whereby the operation of accurately securing said panels to the supporting frame may be greatly expedited; in the unique construction of the keelson and the transom knee provided at the rear end of the boat for securing the keelson to the transom to provide a rugged rear end construction which may readily support an outboard motor of substantial size; in the construction of the stem and the manner of securing its rear end to the forward end of the keelson; and in the provision of a boat structure of the class described which readily lends itself for manufacture and distribution to the trade at extremely low cost.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the supporting frame assembled and supported in an inverted position, and one of the pre-cut side panels being positioned adjacent thereto;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, but showing the two side panels secured in position on the supporting frame, and also showing how the forward ends of the two panels may be temporarily retained in engagement with the stem while checking the keelson for alignment, after which the front end portions of the side panels are correctly positioned on the stem and secured thereto;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view illustrating the method of applying the bottom panels to the supporting frame and side panels;

'FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view showing the lower rear corner of the boat shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, partially broken away to show one method of interfitting the rear ends of the chines with the transom, including the reinforcing elements secured to the opposite ends of the transom;

FIGURE 4A is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 4, showing a slightly modified construction wherein the rear terminals of the chines stop short of the rear ends of their respective side panels whereby they may abut against the inner surface of the transom, thereby to facilitate accurately locating the rear ends of the side panels on the ends of the transom;

FIGURE 5 is a detail sectional view substantially on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3, to illustrate the fitting of the chines in the joints between the bottom edges of the side panels and the bottom panels;

FIGURE 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6-6 of 'FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a boat of slightly modified construction;

FIGURE 8 is an exploded view of a boat somewhat similar to the one shown in FIGURE 7, but wherein the chines are secured to the lower outer edge portions of the side panels;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the bow end of boat shown in FIGURE 8, showing the two side panels and one of the bottom panels secured in position on the supporting frame; I

FIGURE 10 is a detail sectional view substantially on 3 the line 10-40 of FIGURE 9, showing the connection between the side and bottom panels of the boat with the chines positioned on the exterior of the boat; and

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10 taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 9.

The novel boat structure herein disclosed was designed more particularly for sale and distribution to the trade in kit form to meet the constantly growing demands of the so-called do-it-yourself mechanic or individual desi-r ing to acquire a high quality boat at low cost. To facilitate assembly by the novice, or inexperienced individual, the boat structure, as introduced to the trade, is in kit form. Each such kit comprises all of the component parts of the selected boat, with complete instructions for assembling said parts to complete the formation of the boat in its final useable form.

While the invention as herein shown and described, is directed more specifically to boats sold to the trade in kit form, it is to be understood that it is equally applicable to boats assembled at the factory before distribution to the public.

A feature of the invention resides in the construction of the transom, generally designated by the numeral 2, including the means provided thereon for securing the rear end of the keelson thereto. The keelson, indicated by the numeral 3, has its rear end fixedly secured to the transom 2, To thus secure the keelson to the transom and to facilitate accurately positioning the rear end of the keelson thereon, a block 4 is permanently secured to the lower portion of the transom in fixed relation to the bottom edge thereof and to the opposite ends thereof. Secured to the opposite sides of the rear end of the keelson are two brackets 5, which straddle the block 4 and have their upright rear edges secured thereto. The spacing between the brackets 5-5 corresponds to the width of block 4, whereby when the brackets 5 are secured thereto, they cooperate with the block 4 to provide a very rigid and rugged connection between the keelson and transom. The rear upright edges of the brackets 5 also determine the correct angle or rearward tilt of the transom, as such edges are pre-cut to correspond to the correct angle of the transom. The connection between the keelson and transom is commonly known in the trade as the transom knee.

The skeleton, supporting frame, as best shown in FIG- URE 1, comprises in combination with the transom 2 and keelson 3, a plurality of transverse frame assemblies, gene-rally designated by the numerals 7, 8 and 9. Frame assembly 9 is spaced inwardly from the transom 2, and frame assemblies 7 and 8 are spaced from one another and from the rear frame assembly 9 in a direction lengthwise of the boat, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The spacing of frame assemblies 7, 8 and 9 along the length of the keelson constitutes another important feature of the invention in that they cooperate to shape the side walls or panels 14- of the boat hull. To obtain the desired curvature of the side walls of the boat, the keelson is clearly marked at spaced intervals along its length where each frame assembly 7, 8 and 9 is to be secured, which greatly facilitates the operation of subsequently correctly locating said frame assemblies on the keelson and securing them thereto.

The front frame assembly 7 comprises an upright post 11 having a cross arm 12 secured to its upper end, the outer terminals 13 of which are shaped to conform to the inclined inner surfaces of the upper edge portions of the side panels 14, and whereby the cross member or arm 12 determines the width or lateral spacing between the upper marginal edges of the side walls of the boat at that particular location of the boat. The top edge of the top cross arm 12 of frame assembly 7 is contoured as shown to shape the deck, not shown, subsequently to be secured thereto in the usual manner.

The front or. forward frame assembly 7 also. comprises a second cross arm 15, the intermediate portion of which is fixedly secured to the upright post 11 in a manner similar to cross arm 12. The lower cross arm 15 is so located on the upright post 11 that its notched terminals 16 seat against the chines 17, here shown secured to the inner lower edge portions of the side panels 14, as indicated in FIGURES 1, 2, 5 and 6. Cross arm 15 coopcrates with the upper cross arm 12 to determine the correct shape of the side walls at this particular location of the hull.

The lower end of the upright post 11 is preferably recessed or notched to receive the rear end of the stem 31, to which it is fixedly secured by suitable means, not shown in the drawings. In the present instance, the lower end of post 11 is shown notched to receive the rear end of the stem, but obviously it may be otherwise secured thereto, if desired.

Cross frame assembly 8 is shown including a cross member 18 having a block 19 secure to its intermediate portion, the lower end of which is preferably notched, as indicated at 21 in FIGURES l and 2, to receive the keelson 3 to which it is fixedly secured in a manner similar to the upright post 11 of frame assembly 7. Upright side frame members 22 are secured to the outer end portions of cross member 13 and have their outer edges 23 shaped to correspond to the curvature of the side panels of the boat hull, when the hull has been completely assembled. The lower ends of the upright side frame members 22 are shown notched, as indicated at 24, to receive the chines 17.

Cross frame assembly 9, like the intermediate frame assembly 8, comprises a cross arm 25 having a block 26 secured to its intermediate portion, which in turn preferably has its lower edge notched to receive the keelson 3 to which it is fixedly secured in a manner similar to block 19 of frame assembly. Upright side frame members 27 are secured to the outer end portions of cross member 25 and have their outer edges 28 shaped to fit the contour of the inner surfaces of the side panels, when the latter are secured thereto, as will subsequently be described. Upright frame members 27 preferably have their lower terminals notched, as indicated at 29, to receive the chines 17 to which they are secured. In some instances, notch 29 may be omitted. The notches in the lower ends of uprights 22, 27, 36, and in the ends of cross arm 15 are eliminated when the chines are located on the outside of the panels as shown, for example, in FIGURE 8. Frame assemblies 8 and 9 and the transom 2 cooperate to shape the rear end portion of the hull, cross-sectionally.

Post 11 and blocks 19 and 26 cooperate to strengthen and shape the boat bottom, and also to retain the keelson in accurate alignment with the length of the boat. The ends of the transom, and the edges 23 and 28 of cross frame assemblies 8 and 9, respectively, including the terminals 13 and 16 of cross arms 12 and 15 of cross assembly 7, all cooperate to shape the side and bottom walls of the boat, when they are subsequently permanently secured thereto.

The forward end of the supporting structure comprises the usual upwardly curved stem 31 which is shown having its rear lower end suitably secured to the forward end of the keelson by suitable means, not shown, as is well known in the art. The bottom edge of the stem 31 may be V-shaped in cross-section, as indicated in FIGURE 1, to conform to the V-shaped bottom surface of the keelson. The opposed V-shaped surfaces 3232 of the stem are preferably flush with the corresponding V-shaped surfaces 3333 of the keelson to provide continuous elongated surfaces to which the inner marginal edge portions of the bottom panels 34 and the front upright edges of the side panels may be secured by suitable screws or other means, as indicated at 30 in FIGURE 3. From the foregoing it will be noted that the stem determines the contour of the bow of the boat. In' the drawings, the keelson and stem are shown secured together to provide the composite structure, keelson and stemr In-some' instances,-however, the

The bottom edges of the stem, chines, transom and keelson are preferably pre-shaped or beveled to conform to the angles of the two opposed bottom sections of the boat to facilitate subsequently assembling the parts, and whereby such operation may be accomplished with relatively greater ease and accuracy. If the above parts are not pro-shaped as above stated before assembly of the boat, they may, of course, be manually beveled or shaped by the mechanic on the job.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the composite supporting frame shown in FIGURE 1 comprises the following component parts hereinbefore described, namely, the transom 2, keelson 3, including the transom knee 5, cross frame assemblies 7, 8 and 9, and the stem 31. All of the above parts maybe constructed independently of one another and may be so marked that they may readily be assembled to provide the composite supporting frame shown in FIGURE 1.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in the unique construction and pre-shaping of various parts of the boat in its preferred form, shown in FIGURE 1. By so constructing and pre-shaping the parts contained in each kit, the boat may be quickly and accurately assembled byan inexperienced person or novice without the use of an assembling jig or form, and with the assurance that the resultant boat will be'symmetrical and accurately aligned longitudinally, which are important factors to assure top performance of the boat under all operating conditions.

In the structure shown in FIGURE 1 the skeleton frame including the stem, keelson, cross frame assemblies 7, 8 and 9, and transom are secured together to provide a skeleton frame which, when placed in an inverted position upon a floor, will be supported at three points, namely, the top end of the stem 31 and the top ends of the reinforcing members 36. If the reinforcing members 36 are not used, the rear end of the skeleton frame rests directly upon the top edge ofthe transom, as will be understood. To assure longitudinal alignment of the parts, the side panels 14 are preferably secured to the opposite sides of the supporting structure simultaneously, as will be understood by reference to FIGURES l and 2. The various parts of the supporting structure shown in FIGURE 1 are preferably provided with suitable markings to indicate the relative locations of the various parts with respect to one another, whereby it is unnecessary for the mechanic assembling the parts to measure the various parts to determine if they are properly positioned or aligned in the structure. 7

To facilitate assembling the various parts to complete the skeleton frame shown in FIGURE 1, the transom, keelson and stem are preferably secured together and placed on the floor, as shown in this figure. The mechanic or individual assembling the boat then proceeds to secure the cross frames 7, 8 and 9 to the keelson in their proper spaced relation, it being understood that the keelson may be marked to show the location of each cross frame assembly, as hereinbefore stated.

In practice the upper forward end of the stem 31 may preferably be made slightly longer than actually required,

whereby the forward end of the stem may be used as a restduring assembling of the parts, and may then be trimmed to size when the side and bottom panels 14 and 34, respectively, have been secured to the supporting frame and the partially completed hull is placed in an upright position.

Another important feature of the present invention' 36, which are fixedly secured to the marginal edge portions of the transom and have their outer edges shaped to coincide with the corresponding edges of the transom. The lower outer corner of each reinforcing member 36 may be cut away, as indicated in FIGURE 1, to provide outwardly facing notches or recesses 37 adapted to receive the rear terminals 38 of the chines 17.

By reference to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the rear outer corners of the transom are not cut away, whereby the corner portions of the transom provide abutment surfaces for the rear terminals of the chines when the rear portions of the side panels are initially seated against the ends of the transom to be secured thereto. Thus, the notches 37 in the bottom ends of the reinforcing members 36 provide means for accurately positioning the side panels against the ends of the transom before securing them thereto.

In the operation of securing the side panels to the supporting frame, the rear ends of the two panels may be fitted against the ends of the transom simultaneously, as indicated in FIGURE 2, and secured thereto and/or to the reinforcing members 36. The two side panels, which may have been previously pre-cut to the proper size and shape, are preferably secured to the supporting structure by starting from the transom and working forwardly, as will next be described.

To thus secure the side panels to the supporting frame in the form shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 4, the rear terminals 38 of the chines are inserted into the recesses 37, and are secured therein, as hereinbefore stated, it being understood that the chines have previously been secured to the side panels. The side panels and chines are next secured to the notched bottom ends of the upright frame members or posts 27. The upper edges of the two panels may also be secured to the transom and post 27, thereby to accurately secure the rear ends of the panels to the supporting structure.

Thereafter the intermediate portions of the panels are brought into engagement with the outer edges 28 and 23 of posts 27 and 22, respectively, and partially secured thereto to retain the panels thereon. The chines are also seated in the notches 16 at the ends of cross arm 15 and secured thereto.

Next the forward ends of the side panels 14 are brought together against the upper end portion of the stem 31 and are secured thereto by suitable means such as screws 30, indicated in FIGURES 2 and 3. During the inward flexing of the forward end portions of panels 14, the inner surfaces thereof will engage the vertically spaced terminals 13 and 16 of cross arms 12 and 15, respectively, of cross frame assembly 7, which serve to shape and retain the side panels 14 in accurately spaced relation crosswise of the boat at that particular location thereof. However, before permanently anchoring the forward ends of the side panels to the stem, the keelson is accurately aligned both longitudinally and vertically of the boat. During the operation of thus accurately aligning the keelson, the forward ends portions of the side panels may be retained in engagement with the beveled surfaces 32 of the stem 31 by means of a flexible e1ement39, indicated in FIGURE 2. When the stem and keelson have been accurately aligned with the boat, the forward inclined marginal edge portions 41 of the side panels are secured to the stem by suitable means such as screws 30, indicated in FIGURES 2 and 3.

If the keelson is not accurately aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the boat, correct alignment thereof is attained by shifting blocks 19 and 26 with respect to cross frame assemblies 8 and 9, and by shifting the relationship of the top edge of the transom with respect to the side wall panels.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the shaping of the side walls of the hull. This is automatically accomplished when the side walls are permanently secured to the outer edges of the transom 2, and the 7 upright posts 27 and 22, and as a result of seating against the terminal of cross arms 10 and of cross frame assembly 7, as will be understood by reference to FIG- URES 1, 2 and'3, ashereinbefore stated.

In the construction shown in FIGURES 1 to 6, inclusive, the chines 17 may be pre-fabricated and fixedly secured to their respective side panels 14 before securing the side panels to the supporting frame. By so prefabricating or shaping the chines and securing them in position on the side panels greatly reduces the labor required to assemble the boat with a resultant increase in accuracy. s V

In some instances it may be deemed advisable not to secure the chines directly to the side wall panels before securing the panels to the supporting structure. For example, the side panels may first be secured to the supporting frame as shown in FIGURE 2, aft-er which the chines may be inserted edgewise into the notches I6, 24, 29 and 37. Or, if desired, the chines may first be secured in the notches in the cross frame assemblies and transom, after which the side panels may be secured thereto. To thus secure the chines and side panels to the supporting frame independently of one another has one advantage, and that is it prevents the formation of abnormal stresses in the chines and lower marginal edge portions of the side panels when these parts are permanently secured together prior to being fixed to the supporting frame. This is particularly true of the forward end portions of the composite chines and side walls where the maximum bend occurs, as indicated at b, when the front ends of the side panels are bent inwardly into engagement with the stem 31. Note particularly FIGURE 1.

When the chines are immovably secured to their respective side panels before the side panels are secured to the supporting structure, there can be no relative slippage between the parts (chines and panels) where the side wall panels are bent sharply, as indicated at b. This may result in internal stresses developing in the parts. As hereinbefore stated, this objectionable feature cannot occur when the chines and side wall panels are secured to the supporting structure independently of one another, as above stated.

When the side panels and chines are secured together before being assembled in the boat, they may be only partially secured to one another in a manner to allow for relative slippage t-herebetween to relieve abnormal stresses which may tend to develop in said parts when sharply bent, as indicated at b in FIGURE 1. After the side walls and chines have been partially secured to the supporting structure, as shown in FIGURE 2, they are permanently secured thereto, as hereinbefore stated.

The bottom forming panels 34 are preferably accurate ly pre-shaped and cut to fit the bottom of the boat, as will be understood by reference to FIGURES 2 and 3. A feature of the bottom construction resides in the preshaping of the front end portions of the two bottom panels 34, including the curved edges 42, which is such that when the forward end portions of the two panels are brought together said curved marginal edges 42 will seat firmly against the inclined beveled surfaces 3232 of the stem and will abuttingly engage one another, as will be understood by reference to FIGURES 2 and 3. The edge portions 42 are secured to the stem by suitable means, such as screws 35, indicated in FIGURE 3.

The bottom'panels 34 may be made slightly oversize, as indicated by the dotted lines 43 in FIGURES 5 and 6, whereby the marginal side edges thereof may project slightly beyond the adjacent side surfaces of the side panels 14 to which andthe chines 17 they are secured. The overhanging marginal edges 43 of the bottom panels are subsequently trimmed off in the usual manner to make them flush with the outer surfaces of the side panels 14, as is well known in the art. The rear marginal edges of the'sidepanels'l l, indicated in FIGURE 2, and the corresponding edges" of the bottom panels 34 may be similarly trimmed elf to make them flush with the outer surface of the transom. After the side and bottom panels have been suitably secured to the supporting frame, the usual outer keel, not shown in the drawings, is secured to the keelson and stem and conceals the joint between the two bottom panels 34 in the usual manner.

The partially completed hull may then be inverted, or placed in an upright position upon the floor as shown, for example, in FIGURE 7, after which the usual front, rear and side top decking, not shown in the drawings, is secured to the supporting frame and the upper edges of the side walls. Thereafter the seats and other necessary equipment may be secured in place to complete the hull for receiving the usual outer and inner finishing or coating material, such as varnish, paint, fiber glass, etc.

The unique construction of the novel boat herein disclosed has been found extremely popular in the trade, largely because of the unique construction of the various component parts thereof, whereby any inexperienced mechanic or individual may readily and quickly assemble the various parts of any selected boat kit, by following the simple instructions furnished with each kit. As hereinbefore stated, the side panels 14 may, if desired, be secured to the supporting frame simultaneously, by stanting from the rear end of the hull and working toward the forward end thereof. In some instances, it may be found more desirable, when securing the side wall panels to the supporting frame, to start at the front or how end of the boat and work rearwardly.

In FIGURE 7 there is shown a boat construction of slightly modified construction comprising the usual transom 44, side panels 45 and bottom panels 46. Chines 47 are shown secu-red to the inner lower marginal edge portions of the side panels in a manner similar to the chines 17 shown in FIGURE 1. The inner marginal side edges of the bottom panels 46 are secured to the keelson 48 and stem 49 in a manner similar to the keelson 3 and stem 31, shown in FIGURE 1.

The main distinction in the construction shown in FIG- URE 7 over that shown in FIGURE 1 resides in the intermediate cross frame assemblies 8 and 9 shown in the previous figures. In the form shown in FIGURE 7, a front cross frame assembly 51 having cross arms 50 and 60, and an upright post 70, is shown positioned in the forward end portion of the boat in a manner similar to to the corresponding frame assembly shown in FIGURE 1. Spaced rearwardly from cross frame assembly 51 is a cross arm 52 shown having a block 53 secured to its intermediate portion, the lower end of which is secured to the keelson 48. In FIGURE 7 but one cross arm 52 is shown, but it is to be understood two or more such cross arms may be used, depending upon the length and size of the boat to be constructed.

The ends of cross arm 52 may be notched as shown to receive the chines 47, to which the side walls 45 are fixedly secured. Members 51 and 52 cooperate to retain the side walls in accurately spaced relation and to shape the intermediate portions thereof, it being noted that the terminals thereof are disposed at an angle corresponding to the outward angle of the side walls. Longitudinally extending battens or strips 54 are shown secured to the bottom panels 46 of the hull at locations intermediate of the keelson and the chines. Blocks 55 are secured to the cross member 52 and to the longitudinally extending strips 54 and cooperate with block 53 to strengthen and shape the bottom of the boat. Cross arm 52 may also serve as a support for a seat, not shown in the drawings. Brackets 56 are secured to the upper marginal edge portions of the side walls intermediate the ends thereof for supporting the longitudinally extending side deck supports, generally designated by the numeral 57.

FIGURES 8 to 11, inclusive, illustrate another form wherein a plurality of cross arms or members 58, 59 and 61 are securedto'the stem 62, and a keelson, not shown 9 in the drawing. The boat shown in FIGURE 8 comprises a transom 63 to the opposite side edges 64 of which the rear marginal edge portions 65 of the side panels 66 are secured in a manner similar to the side panels 14 shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4A discloses a lower rear corner construction of a boat similar to the one shown in FIGURE 7, wherein the rear terminals of the chines 47 stop short of the rear ends of their respective side panels 45, whereby the rear terminals of the chines may abut against the inner surface of the transom, when fitting the side panels against the end edges 44' of the transom, thereby to accurately locate the side panels thereon.

In the form shown in FIGURE 8 the chines 67 are secured to the outer lower marginal edge portions of the side panels 66 and have their bottom edges beveled to receive the marginal edge portions of the bottom panels 68 partially shown in FIGURES 9, 10 and 11. The stem 62 may be notched at its upper end, as indicated at 69, to receive the front edge portions 71 of the side panels 66. In the form shown in FIGURE 8, the longitudinal side edges of the bottom panels 68 preferably slightly overhang the chines 67, as indicated in FIGURES 10 and 11, and said edges are trimmed to size after the bottom panels have been permanently secured in position in the boat structure. The rear marginal edge portions of the side panels and the bottom panels are similarly trimmed to make them coincide with the plane of the rear surface of the transom, as is well known in the art.

The novel boat structures herein disclosed readily lend themselves for manufacture in kit form because of the simple construction of the various component parts thereof. Each cross frame assembly 7, 8 and 9 of the boat,

shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, including the transom 2,

may readily be independently prefabricated, ready to install as individual units, which greatly facilitate the operation of subsequently securing said cross frame assemblies to the keelson 3 in the operation of assembling the skeleton supporting frame illustrated in FIGURE 1. If deemed more desirable, the cross frame assemblies may be only partially pre-fabricated before being assembled in a boat. The pre-cutting and shaping of the side and bottom panels is also of utmost importance in that by thus pro-fabricating these parts, an inexperienced mechanic or novice may quickly assemble the parts to construct a composite boat structure which, when completed will have the appearance of a factory made boat.

In the form shown in FIGURE 1, the skeleton frame, when completely assembled and placed in aninverted position on a floor, will be supported at three points; namely, the top ends of the stem 31 and reinforcing members 36 which thus cooperate to provide, in effect, a tripod support, whereby irregularities in the floor or other surface upon which the skeleton frame is supported will not eflect the alinement of the parts when applying the side and bottom panels and chines thereto, and when sanding the exterior surface of the partially completed hull to prepare it for the necessary coating material, such as paint, varnish, etc.

The supporting frame when so assembled and supported, serves as an assembling jig to facilitate securing the side and bottom panels thereto in their correct positions. The outer edges of the upright posts 22 and 27, the end edges of transom 2, including the inclined terminals 13 and 16 of cross arms 10 and 15, cooperate to shape the walls of the hull, and to assure symmetry thereof.

The same applies to the forms illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8. In FIGURE 7 the outer terminals of cross arms 50, 50', 60 and 52 cooperate to provide an assembling jig for the side panels 45, and in FIGURE 8, the terminals of cross arms 58, 59 and 61 serve the same purpose, as Will be understood.

In the foregoing the side panels have been described as being simultaneously secured to the supporting frame starting from the rear end thereof and progressively working towards the bow of the boat; If desired, the side panels may be secured to the supporting structure by starting from the front end or how of the boat, but from actual experience it has been found more desirable to work from the rear end towards the front of the boat. The same applies when securing the bottom panels to the supporting structure.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Hence, the present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects merely as being illustrative and not as being restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications and variations as fall within the meaning and purview and range of equivalency of the appended claims are therefore intended to, be embraced therein.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a boat strutcure, a skeleton supporting frame comprising in combination, a keelson, a transom, and a plurality of independent cross frame assemblies each having a substantially horizontal cross arm spaced throughout its length substantially above said keelson and having upstanding panel-contouring terminal edges and also a depending central rigidly secured strut support, the strut supports of said assemblies being secured to the keelson in fixed spaced relation lengthwise thereof, a pair of side panels, and means at the opposite ends of the transom engageable with means on the rear ends of said panels for accurately locating the side panels on the supporting frame, thereby to facilitate subsequent assembly of the parts and means for securing intermediate portions of said side panels in abutment with the respective upstanding terminal edges of said cross frame assemblies.

2. In boat hull structure the combination of a skeleton reinforcing frame with contoured flexible panels, said skeleton frame comprising as essential components a substantially rigid keelson-stem combination with the stem curved upwardly from the keelson, a transom having panel-contouring side and bottom edges and rigidly secured at its medial lower portion to the rear of said keelson and a plurality of cross frame units each having a substantially horizontal cross arm spaced through out its length substantially above said keelson and having upstanding panel-contouring terminal edges for transverse abutment with flexible side panels and also having a central rigidly secured, depending strut element secured at its lower end to said keelson, said skeleton frame as defined constituting a jig for shaping the side walls of the hull; and said contoured panels comprising a pair of flexible side panels having their ends secured respectively to the upper portion of said stem and to the side edges of said transom and also secured along spaced transverse lines to the upstanding terminal abutment edges of said cross frame units, and a pair of flexible bottom panels secured to the respective bottom edge portions of said transom and to the respective lower edges of said side panels and also to the respective lower longitudinal edges of said keelson and to the lower portion of said stem, and having their inner longitudinal edges opposed and in substantial abutment.

3. A kit for constructing a boat, comprising a plurality of prefabricated independent units including as essential components, a keelson, an upwardly curved stem, a transom having panel-contouring side and bottom edges, a plurality of independent cross frame units each having a substantially straight cross arm with upstanding terminal edge elements for thrust engagement with flexible side panels, a pair of flexible side panels cut to predetermined configuration and a pair of flexible bottom panels also cut to predetermined configuration; said boat when assembled from said units having said stem rigidly secured to the forward end of said keelson and the lower medial portion of said transom rigidly secured to the a a 11. i rear end ofsaid .keelson and having said cross frame units rigidly and horizontally secured at spaced transverse intervals to said flexible side panels and with said cross arms spaced substantially above said keelson, and with the ends of. said side panels secured respectively to the upper portion of said stem and the side edges of said transom and said boat having said flexible bottom panels secured to the respective bottom edge portions of said transom and to the respective lower edges of said side panels and also to the respective lower longitudinal edges of said keelson and to the lower portion of said stem, and with the inner longitudinal edges of said bottom panels opposed and in substantial abutment, and said cross frame units having central depending struts, the lower ends of said struts being preformed to predetermined configuration to precisely thrust-fit the upper contour of said keelson to thereby accurately determine the positioning --of said cross frame units, the straight cross arms of said units having the dual function of constituting seat supports.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Motorboat, December 1949,'pp. 1416 Boat Builders Handbook, Science and Mechanics Publishing Company, 1956, pp. 65 and 82. 

